Ginny grew up in Folcroft in a Catholic household and had a bit of a rocky road coming to know Christ. Graciously—and delightfully—she shares that story and some other tidbits about herself here.
Ginny, tell us about your family.
I have a crazy funny husband. Three stepchildren who I love dearly. One grandchild I can’t get enough of. I have a sister and brother-in-law and three nephews. My nephews and I are very close. They are like my own children. Except for the fact that they tell me EVERYTHING. That part I can sometimes do without.
What brought you to Covenant Fellowship?
My mother died in April of 2004 (that’s not the best part of the story obviously). I had just ended a 15-year relationship and had to move home for a bit to figure out my next move. While I was living at home with my mom, she died. She was 63 years old. It was a major heart attack so it was very sudden. When I say it almost killed me, I am not exaggerating. I had so much guilt and shame for not being the daughter I felt I should have been. So many things were left unsaid.
Growing up in a Catholic household and going to Catholic school for 12 years gave me some crazy abandonment issues resulting from what I believed God was. Punishing, to say the least. With all my doubts through the years, this time of grieving my mom’s death was the first time I ever felt the presence of God, and I was angry. How could He leave me like this? Why wasn’t He helping me through this? I couldn’t function normally. It was horrible.
That was in April. I went on my first date with my now-husband in February of 2005, just 10 months later. I didn’t think I was ready, but he made me laugh for a minute. He also saw how much pain I was in and how I just couldn’t shake it. So much guilt.
After a few months, he started talking to me about Alpha (which is Bridge now). I agreed to go. It changed my life. I had gotten the one thing I needed most: HOPE. I wanted to be saved but I didn’t think I could be. I just kept praying and going to church until I finally understood, about a year later. I have never looked back. I am so grateful for the teaching at Covenant. It opened my eyes to realize the desperate need I had for Christ.
You serve in the Bridge Course now and are also an usher—how have you seen God work in one of those ministries?
The Bridge Course allows you to see God work in amazing ways. People have no idea what they are in for. I’ve watched them come in skeptical and leave saved. What an amazing experience.
Where do you work now, and how is God moving in your workplace?
I own a beauty salon in Ridley Park. It’s been a great opportunity to share the gospel with my clients. Everyone knows I am a Christian and they ask me a ton of questions. I love that. The girls I work with, I’ve worked with for years. They have experienced the change in me, which has been a great testimony.
If you could talk to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give her?
Stop right there!! Back it up, sister. You’re trusting in the wrong things. The world is gonna get you in trouble. Learn more about Jesus and trust in Him!
What is your favorite verse?
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). All my life I thought I could think my way in and out of everything, based on my own opinions. But that caused a few smacks from reality. Trusting in the Lord took away a lot of anxiety and fear.
